07: Mirror of Time

I have often loved to orient my life around time – linearly and non-linearly. It can feel more control-oriented when I think about the future from a linear standpoint and more free-flowing when non-linear. But I continually wonder what letting go of time altogether, as a construct, actually opens up.

When I bring time into view, I notice myself moving toward scarcity and productivity, especially when my dreams feel out of reach or ideal timelines are unrealized. And then I can start to spiral into past regret and future worry. My value for efficiency increases and I get lost outside of time and space, all the while thinking I am making the most of the moment or giving myself the opportunity to have more time later (as if I can even save it for later). What if the reality is that the present moment is all there ever is?

I’ve been curious how I can cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the present moment. Daily walks have been fun, especially when I leave my phone behind and notice the wind across my skin or how it shifts the trees. It’s also enjoyable to notice birds or even insects that I might not be aware of without making a conscious effort to look for them. Even taking a moment to sit or lie in stillness feels more like a gift rather than a time waster when I orient to the present moment allowing space to observe myself and allowing space for inspiration. It is a stark contrast to scrolling on social media, which can certainly have its perks, but I notice how quickly it can it contract time if I let it, rather than expand time.

I’m grateful for the mirror of time and it how it reveals where I put my attention and awareness. I want to continue letting it teach me how to live in the present moment.

Acknowledgements:

Julio: Thank you for demonstrating how following your passion, curiosity, and desire can allow time to dissolve. I also appreciate how when unexpected moments happen – those that may be uplifting and those more challenging – you keep moving along the path of your dreams and interests. You don’t seem to get caught in regret or what ifs and I really admire that about you.

Oliver: I appreciate how you have encouraged me to consider time in more expansive ways and less around productivity, accomplishment, or scarcity. You have inspired me to think more about time as a series of commitments and less as a commodity. I appreciate the opportunity to reimagine time through a disruptive lens, breaking up automatic assumptions. Thank you for probing my curiosity.

Karen: Thank you for helping me become more aware of my tendency to distort time and exit the present moment. Your pointing this out has helped me to consciously connect to my center and to the pleasure available in the here and now. I appreciate you for noticing this and bringing it to my attention. I’m grateful for how it has shifted my intention.